Producers' Cooperatives; Experience and Lessons from India

After attaining independence in 1947; India opted for a mixed type of economy in order to accelerate economic development. The ownership of the means of production was to remain in the private sector. The public sector was to support the growth of private economic activity. A third, cooperative sector was to be strengthened to help the numerous small producers. Investments in the public sector were directed by introducing five-year plans.